Romania is becoming the largest net importer of dairy products in Eastern Europe.

Today, 75% of farms in Romania have only 1-2 cows, while there are just 15 large farms (with more than 1,000 cows) in the entire country.

In terms of breed composition and cow productivity, the mixed Bălțată românească dominates the country (31.6%), producing 3.0-3.5 tons per lactation, while the specialized Holstein accounts for only 9.8% of the herd. The potential of elite farms can reach 8-10 tons, but the average level remains three times lower than the Western European standard.

In terms of breed composition and cow productivity, the mixed Bălțată românească dominates the country (31.6%), producing 3.0-3.5 tons per lactation, while the specialized Holstein makes up only 9.8% of the herd. The potential of elite farms can reach 8-10 tons, but the average level remains three times lower than the Western European standard.

Despite a 12% decline in total milk production over the decade (to 38.8 million hectoliters), milk collection for processing increased by 20.8%, reaching 1.204 million tons. The primary growth was driven by imports: raw milk imports amounted to 192,500 tons (+61.7% compared to 2014), with a price of €2,078 per ton (+167.8%).

For the year, Romania imported:

• Raw milk worth €137.9 million (192.5 thousand tons), with exports of 62.9 thousand tons;

• Butter worth €100 million (19.4 thousand tons), with exports of €2 million;

• Cheese worth €507.3 million (111.8 thousand tons), with exports of €98.7 million

According to analysts' forecasts, the steady reduction in the herd and the lack of large-scale modernization in the farming sector are leading to Romania's dependence on supplies from the EU (mainly from Poland and Germany), which is driving up internal price pressure and intensifying the imbalance in the industry.